Ask Proactive – I have recently been directed, when completing the PHQ-2 to 9, that if a resident acknowledges a symptom, but is unable to give a frequency, I should dash both questions (column 1 and 2). Is this correct?

by | Oct 1, 2025 | Coding, Compliance, Depression, MDS, Medicaid, Medicare, Nursing, PDPM, Reimbursement

Q: I have recently been directed, when completing the PHQ-2 to 9, that if a resident acknowledges a symptom, but is unable to give a frequency, I should dash both questions (column 1 and 2). Is this correct?   A: No, this is incorrect. If a resident answers “yes”...

Ask Proactive – When completing an MDS, how do we know which diagnosis should be coded as the primary diagnosis for a resident with multiple conditions (for example, CHF, diabetes, and pressure ulcer)?

by | Sep 17, 2025 | Admissions, Coding, Documentation, Education, MDS, Medicare, SNF, Webinars

Q: When completing an MDS, how do we know which diagnosis should be coded as the primary diagnosis for a resident with multiple conditions (for example, CHF, diabetes, and pressure ulcer)?   A: This question comes up often in SNFs. The primary diagnosis should be...

Ask Proactive – Our facility has been issued a Denial of Payment for new admissions due to survey deficiencies. Should we continue to submit the MDS for current and newly admitted residents?

by | Aug 4, 2025 | Billing, Compliance, MDS, Reimbursement, Survey

Q: Our facility has been issued a Denial of Payment for new admissions due to survey deficiencies. Should we continue to submit the MDS for current and newly admitted residents?   A: A Denial of Payment for new admissions (DPNA) is a CMS enforcement remedy that...

Ask Proactive – A resident was admitted with a diagnosis of acute on chronic respiratory failure requiring a new tracheostomy. The trach was placed during the hospital stay and the resident continues to require suctioning, respiratory monitoring, and oxygen therapy here in the SNF. Would we use the respiratory failure or presence of tracheostomy as the primary diagnosis?

by | Jul 30, 2025 | Coding, ICD.10, MDS, Medicare, Nursing, SNF

Q: A resident was admitted with a diagnosis of acute on chronic respiratory failure requiring a new tracheostomy. The trach was placed during the hospital stay and the resident continues to require suctioning, respiratory monitoring, and oxygen therapy here in the...